The Perfect Wallet

Time To Upgrade That Battered Wallet To One Of These Stylish Alternatives

The AskMen
Acquire team thoroughly researches & reviews the best gear, services and staples for life.

Besides your phone and keys, there isn't a lot of things you use every single day — and let’s be honest, there isn’t that much choosing that goes into either of those. You wallet, however, is an item that represents a real choice. Situated halfway between a style statement and a piece of pure functionality, wallets are not only valuable in themselves, but are also tasked with holding your own (big or small) wealth. From getting your morning coffee and filling up the tank of your car to buying a new video game or taking a special someone on a first date, your wallet is guaranteed to make an appearance. It’s also guaranteed to make an impression.

True, while most of us are more concerned with what is (or isn't) inside our wallets than the actual item in question, rest assured that it does in fact say a little something about you. That doesn’t mean that you have to go all-out and get yourself a $300 Smythson, but you should know that owning a decent wallet is a detail that won’t go unnoticed. On the other hand, if you’re out there roaming the world with a beat-up, falling apart, good-for-nothing duct tape bifold, you might want to consider treating yourself to an upgrade.

That said, selecting a wallet requires a bit of forethought. What does your lifestyle look like? How much stuff do you need to pack in there? Do you travel a lot? After all, you won’t get very far if you try pulling off a cardholder at the airport — you’ll need something to store your I.D. and boarding passes. Another thing you’ll need to think about is durability. Ideally, your next wallet should last you until you’re too old to pull bills out of it anymore, a loyal companion that will only get better looking and smoother feeling with time. Luckily, you can find options that fit all of these criteria at more-than-reasonable price-points. Here, we outline the four most popular wallets, their advantages, and our top picks.

The Cardholder

Cardholders are a great way to cut back on bulk and focus on the essentials. The only style compatible with front pocket storage, cardholders usually come with two or three card slots and a central pocket for bills for an overall streamlined feel and appearance.

The Bifold Wallet

Ideally sized, the bifold is by far the most standard option out there. It’s got the storage space you’d want from a fold-over wallet, but sticks to minimal design to carry out its effectiveness. Bifolds typically feature a large slot for bills, space for up to 10 cards, and a small interior pouch for coins. Hard to go wrong with this option.

The Trifold Wallet

The Big Papa of wallets, the trifold is one that’s hard not to overstuff. While we’d recommend sticking to a simple bifold, the trifold has extra room for all your cards, cash and coins, I.D. and other miscellaneous items. Be warned, however. Lugging around a bulky wallet doesn’t look good in your back pocket and usually leads to more disorganization since it tends to accumulate things that don’t necessarily belong in it.

The Phone Wallet

We all know how big a role our phones play in our daily lives and increasingly, it’s rare that they even leave our hands (not to say that that isn’t problematic in itself). The phone wallet offers two-in-one value, acting as a case for you phone and a minimal wallet for maximum on-the-go convenience. Note: Some phone wallets attach themselves to the phone, often doubling as a case, while others are simply wallets with an integrated pocket to store your phone. Both great.

The Zip/Travel Wallet

If you’re a frequent traveler or just someone who appreciates having room for all possible necessities, a travel wallet is your best option. Roomy enough to fit a passport, cash, cards, keys, and a boarding pass, this carry-all is your solution to shuffling through disorganized pockets. Although not all travel wallets come with a zip closure, the metal teeth are guaranteed to prevent anything falling out. On the other hand, some zip wallets are not large enough to be considered travel wallets, but are worthwhile nonetheless.

Bonus: The Money Clip

For the ultimate minimalist, the money clip serves one purpose: to keep your bills together. Although we don't see many of these on the regular, they can be handy if you're someone who likes carrying a good amount of cash as opposed to relying on plastic.

AskMen may receive a portion of revenue if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service.
The links are independently placed by our Commerce team and do not influence editorial content. To find out more, please read our complete
terms of use.